Supplejack South-1 is designed to test the hydrocarbon potential of a seismic anomaly at the intra Miocene-aged Mount Messenger sandstone level offset to the Supplejack-1 discovery location.

Although Supplejack South-1 will have a surface location in PEP38741, it will be directionally drilled to reach a true vertical depth of about 2000m in PEP38765, testing a 3D seismically identified 'sweet spot' roughly 700m from Supplejack-1.

The target sandstones at Supplejack South-1 are interpreted to be the lateral equivalent of the thin sand interval that produced gas-condensate on test in Supplejack-1. The shallower sandstones, which were interpreted from logs to contain hydrocarbons in Supplejack-1, are a secondary target in Supplejack South-1.

Canadian-listed partner TAG Oil says as soon as Supplejack South-1 is completed later this month, the Ensign International Rig 19 will move to drill the Arakamu-1 well in PEP 38757 (100% TAG). It is expected to take about two weeks to drill this shallow Miocene-aged prospect.

The PEP38765 partners are: permit operator Tap Oil (50%), Austral Pacific Energy (37.67%) and TAG Oil (13.33%), but Austral is operating the Supplejack South-1 well.

The PEP 38741 partners are: operator Austral Pacific Energy (30%), Tap Oil (50%) and TAG Oil (20%).